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October 2010Storytelling, music, history talks, poetry, author talks, exhibitions, children’s activities and much more…

www.brent.gov.uk/whatson020 8937 3144

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Brent Council presents: Black History Month

October 2010

Brent Council is very proud to welcome you to this year’s Black History Month programme. We have a wide range of events and activities for all ages throughout the whole of October in all our libraries and Brent Museum.

Highlights include: • fascinating talks about the late

great Bob Marley, the war hero and footballer Walter Tull and Kwame Nkrumah, who fought for Ghana’s independence

• journalist and broadcaster Alex Pascall in conversation with football legend Luther Blissett

• readings by Orange prize shortlisted author Monique Roffey and Precious Williams, author of Precious: A True Story

• an exhibition of textiles from modern Ghana loaned by the British Museum

• a Sunday afternoon live radio show delivered in partnership with Bang Radio 103.6 FM

• a special celebration event on 22 October with actor and comedian Felix Dexter and Malcolm Frederick, the star of 80's sitcom No Problem.

Black History Month is only one of the diverse and exciting events for Brent residents throughout the year. Visit your local Brent library, www.brent.gov.uk/whatsonwww.facebook.com/lovebrentlibraries or www.twitter.com/brentlibraries to find out more. Alternatively, call one of the numbers listed in this programme.

All events are free except where otherwise stated.

Family Learning: Children must be over five and accompanied by an adult (based on one adult with a maximum of two children).

Booking symbol For events with this symbol it is essential to book one week in advance at the event venue.

Willesden Bookshop at Willesden Green Library Centre will be supporting author events with book sales of signed copies. www.willesdenbookshop.co.uk Saturday 2 October Autumn fete 11am – 4pm Willesden Green Library CentreIn support of the Royal National Institute of the Blind. Stalls and games, craft activities, face painting and lots more.

Monday 4 October Precious: A True Story - author visit with Precious Williams7 – 8.30pm Willesden Green LibraryA story of mothers and daughters, of a struggle with racial identity and a journey to find a sense of belonging.

Tuesday 5 October Black servicemen in WWII: A personal story1.30 – 3pm Willesden Green LibraryA talk by Malcolm Barres-Baker, after which the son of Flight Lieutenant Akin Shenbanjo, who was one of a few black airmen to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and a one-time resident of Brent, will discuss his father’s life. Create a Caribbean recipe book2 – 4pm Harlesden Library PlusComputing workshop. Wednesday 6 October Birkbeck University of London information stall4 – 7pm Willesden Green LibraryBirkbeck offers high quality evening higher education in a wide range of study options.

Precious: A True Story – author visit with Precious Williams.

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Wednesday 6 October Fibroids awareness6 – 7pm Willesden Green LibraryA talk by Dr Rajesh Varma, consultant gynaecologist at Guys and St Thomas NHS Trust.

Thursday 7 October Navigating the maze of mental health services – footsteps to recovery 9.30am – 3pm Willesden Green LibraryA seminar exploring access to appropriate mental health services for refugees, asylum seekers and migrant communities. To attend, please apply to Farah Chaudhry on 020 8981 2146 or email farah.chaudhry@taha.org.uk

Black servicemen in WWII: A personal story7 – 8.30pm Harlesden Library PlusSee Tuesday 5 October for event details.

Friday 8 October Lupus, what’s that?12.30 – 1.30pm Willesden Green LibraryA talk by St Thomas’ Lupus Trust.

Saturday 9 October African jungle and landscape plaques: Pottery workshops11am – 1pm Cricklewood Library2.30 – 4.30pm Neasden Library PlusFor children aged 5 – 11. Max No: 20.

Sunday 10 October Celebration with Sherry Dixon and friends1 – 3pm Willesden Green LibraryLive Sunday lunch time radio show celebrating Black History Month delivered in partnership with Bang 103.6 FM Radio and presented by Sherry Dixon, former editor of Pride Magazine. Sherry will be joined by husband and wife team Rudolph Walker OBE, best known as Patrick in EastEnders and Dounne Alexander MBE, the founder of Gramma’s Herbal Pepper Sauces and Joining Hands In Health.

Sherry Dixon broadcasts on Sundays from 12noon till 3pm on Bang Radio www.bangradio.fm

Monday 11 OctoberSpread Your Wings and Fly with Ngoma Bishop7 – 8.30pm Willesden Green LibraryBrent author Ngoma launches his book, which is a sensitive and skilfully written narrative about those who as children came to Britain from the Caribbean and other parts of the Empire in the 1950s and ‘60s.

Tuesday 12 October House of Sugar1.30 – 3pm Willesden Green Library6.30 – 7.30pm Harlesden Library PlusA documentary by Barbara Kelly looking at antiques discovered in Jamaica and what they say about the opulent lifestyle of slave-owning planters. Followed by Q&A.

Wednesday 13 October Monique Roffey: White Woman on a Green Bicycle Plus wine and chocolates, pampering sessions and stalls 7 – 8.30pm Willesden Green LibraryLocal author Monique discusses the inspiration behind her Orange Prize

2010 shortlisted novel set in Trinidad in the run up to independence.

Thursday 14 October ”All the guns in France couldn’t wake me” – the story of Walter Tull, officer and footballer7 – 9pm Willesden Green LibraryWalter Daniel John Tull was praised, idolised, denigrated and abused as a footballer for Clapton, Tottenham Hotspur and Northampton Town. Then, as one of Britain’s first black infantry officers, he was loved, respected, ridiculed and humiliated, before being recommended for a Military Cross. Join author Phil Vasili for an illuminating talk and film screening.

Friday 15 October Bob Marley: The Untold Story – a talk and musical evening with author Chris Salewicz 7 – 9pm Harlesden Library PlusThe author will read from his latest book, take questions from the audience and play Marley’s music. Chris co-wrote Third World Cop, the most successful film ever in the Caribbean.

Celebration with Sherry Dixon and friends, Rudolph Walker and Dounne Alexander.

Spread Your Wings and Fly with Ngoma Bishop. Monique Roffey: White Woman on a Green Bicycle.

”All the guns in France couldn’t wake me” – the story of Walter Tull, officer and footballer.Bob Marley: The Untold Story.

Wednesday 20 October Lulu Loves the Library10.15 – 11.15am Willesden Green LibraryAward-winning author Anna McQuinn will read Lulu Loves the Library and other great stories. With singing, rhymes and other fun activities. For children under five and their parents/carers.www.bookstart.org.uk

Fabric of a Nation: Textiles and Identity in Modern GhanaBrent MuseumJoin us for the launch of Brent Museum’s new exhibition, on loan from the British Museum (see page 13 for exhibition details).• Family launch at 4:30 – 5:30pm

Be the first to see the exhibition, make fabric badges and visit our storytelling tent.

• Free official launch 6 – 8pm (Please note booking is required for the official launch. Limited free tickets available. Please call Brent Museum 020 8937 3600).

Thursday 21 October Lulu Loves the Library10.30 – 11.30am Kilburn LibrarySee Wednesday 20 October for details.

Friday 22 October Black History Month celebration evening with special guest Felix Dexter7 – 10pm Willesden Green Library CentreProgramme line up:• Felix Dexter, award-winning

comedian, actor, writer and star of The Real McCoy and currently touring in brand new show Multiple Personalities in Order

• Malcolm Frederick, actor, writer, producer and star of No Problem and Get Up, Stand Up

• Canopy Gospel Choir• Studio Afro Latino dance performance• Alex Pascall, with historical tributes

to British black forerunners.• Ticketed event. To book ring Brent

Council's Libraries, Arts and Heritage service on 020 8937 3144. Tickets are limited.

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Saturday 16 October

Family LearningAfrican sand-painting11am – 1pm Ealing Road Library 2.30 – 4.30pm Town Hall Library Delivered by Brent Adult and Community Education Service (BACES).

Health and well-being2 – 4pm Willesden Green Library Dr Jacqueline Blackett will look at health concerns more prevalent among black people and discuss her books Holistic Guide to Health and Self-Awareness and 50 Questions and Answers on Family Health and Welfare Issues.

Sunday 17 October Celebration with Sherry Dixon and friends1 – 3pm Willesden Green LibrarySherry will be joined by dating and life coach Des Oconnor who specialises in providing single black women with tools and resources to improve every area of their lives, which will then benefit them in finding and attracting the right black man. See Sunday 10 October for full programme schedule.

Monday 18 October Banned Books: Beloved by Toni Morrison7 – 8pm Willesden Green LibraryBeautifully written and heartbreaking, Beloved tells the story of Sethe, an escaped slave who attempts to kill her children in an effort to save them from a life of slavery. Anna Hartnell, lecturer in Cultural and Critical Studies at Birkbeck College, University of London, discusses why it was banned.

There will be a promotion of Banned Books at Willesden Green Library throughout October.

Tuesday 19 October Celebrating Nigeria at 501.30 – 3pm Willesden Green LibraryPaula B Sofowora scooped a British Female Inventors and Innovators Award for her book, Discover Nigeria. Join her for an illuminating talk and visual presentation.

Des Oconnor. Health and well-being.

Celebrating Nigeria at 50.

Lulu Loves the Library.

Felix Dexter and guests.

To get more fromBookstart visit:www.bookstart.org.uk

Bookstart is the national programme that encourages a lifelong love of stories, songs and rhymes by providing free packs of books for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

Sharing books with your child is a wonderful way to build a loving relationship, increase their language skills and help them have a life long love of books.

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Saturday 23 October Fun with Kente designs: Craft workshop11am – 12.30pm Ealing Road Library 2.30 – 4pm Town Hall LibraryFor children aged 5 – 11.

Family Learning Festival Day12noon – 5pm Harlesden Library PlusFun family learning workshops delivered in partnership with BACES. African craft activities, face painting plus stalls and more.

Sunday 24 October Celebration with Sherry Dixon and friends1– 3pm Willesden Green LibrarySherry will be joined by Brent athletes Larry Achike (triple jump) and 100m sprinter Annie Tagoe from Track Academy; both aiming for London 2012 Games. See Sunday 10 October for more details.

Inspiring Brent is Brent Council’s programme for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games. For information on the volunteer programme go to

www.london2012.com/volunteering

Monday 25 October Be health aware2 – 4pm Harlesden Library PlusBrent Mental Health User Group, together with mental health champions, facilitate a workshop to identify what mental health and well-being means and explore improving it.

Create African ceremonial shields2.30 – 3.30pm Kingsbury Library Plus For children aged 5 – 11.

Tuesday 26 October Lulu Loves the Library 10.30 – 11.30am Harlesden Library PlusSee Wednesday 20 October for event details.

Family Learning African sand-painting11am – 1pm Kingsbury Library Plus 2.30 – 4.30pm Preston Library See Saturday 16 October for event details.

Create a multicultural tree: Craft workshop11am – 12noon Kensal Rise Library2.30 – 3.30pm Kilburn LibraryFor children aged 5 – 11.

Kente stories and crafts: Family workshop2 – 4pm Brent MuseumBook with Brent Museum.

Create an African mask2.30 – 4pm Ealing Road LibraryFor children aged 5 – 11.

Create an African village: Craft workshop2.30 – 3.30pm Neasden Library PlusFor children aged 5 – 11.

Make an African drum2.30 – 3.30pm Tokyngton LibraryFor children aged 5 – 11.

Family Learning African tie-dye workshop 2.30 – 4.30pm Harlesden Library Plus Create an African style tag or symbol. This workshop is delivered by BACES.

African and Caribbean languages: History, language, memory, education and literature 7 – 9pm Willesden Green LibraryWith Dr Morgan Dalphinis, of Newham College. Dr Dalphinis is the author of Those Who Will Come After! Collected Poems, 1968 – 85.

Wednesday 27 October

Family LearningAfrican dance workshop11am – 1pm Willesden Green Library Centre

Create African ceremonial shields11am – 12noon Kingsbury Library PlusFor children aged 5 – 11.

Make an African musical shaker2.30 – 3.30pm Harlesden Library PlusFor children aged 5 – 11.

Alex Pascall in conversation with Luther Blissett and Rodney Hinds7 – 9pm Willesden Green LibraryJoin journalist and broadcaster Alex Pascall OBE for an entertaining and topical interview with prolific English football striker and sports legend Luther Blissett and, the sports editor at The Voice, Rodney Hinds.

Track Academy: for more information contact info@londonsportstrust.org

Luther Blissett and Rodney Hinds.

Dr Morgan Dalphinis.

Larry Achike.

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Thursday 28 OctoberCreate an African mask11am –12.30pm Barham Park LibraryFor children aged 5 – 11.

Fun with Kente designs: Craft workshop11am – 12.30pm Preston Library2.30 – 4pm Kingsbury Library PlusFor children aged 5 – 11.

African instruments discovery session family workshop11.30am – 12.30pm, 1.30 – 2.30pm, 3 – 4pm Brent MuseumBook with Brent Museum.

Family Learning African tie-dye workshop 2.30 – 4.30pm Kensal Rise Library See Tuesday 26 October for event details.

Create an African village: Craft workshop2.30 – 3.30pm Town Hall LibraryFor children aged 5 – 11.

Kwame Nkrumah and Ghana’s Independence7 – 9pm Brent Museum Dr Hakim Adi presents an overview of Kwame Nkrumah and his fight for Ghana’s independence.

Friday 29 OctoberCreate African ceremonial shields11am – 12noon Preston Library2.30 – 3.30pm Willesden Green LibraryFor children aged 5 – 11.

Comfort and friends – Art Without Apology7 – 8.30pm Harlesden Library PlusComfort offers thought provoking, but entertaining lyricism, peppered with her no nonsense take on modern life and relationships. An evening of rap, rhythm and rhyme.

Saturday 30 OctoberAfrican jungle and landscape plaques: Pottery workshops11am – 1pm Willesden Green Library2.30 – 4.30pm Town Hall LibrarySee Saturday 9 October for event details. For children aged 5 – 11. Max No: 20.

Keeping young people safe: Information and advice for parents and carersWillesden Green Library CentreDelivered in partnership with Brent Council, the Metropolitan Police, Metropolitan Black Police Association and Harlesden Library’s Black Identity Zone.

• 11am – 2pm Advice surgeriesWith the Metropolitan Police, Metropolitan Black Police Association, Directorate of Professional Standards, Trident, Brent Community Safety Team, youth agencies, the education sector and more.

• 11am – 4pm Stories and craft workshops. For children aged 5 – 11.

• 11am – 4.30pm Be a real hero and help save a life Be a real hero and help save a life Join the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust to find out how you can save a life by joining the bone marrow donor register.

• 2 – 4pm Young people: Victims or perpetrators of violent crime? A panel debate Join criminal barrister Shaun Wallace as he turns the spotlight on the Metropolitan Police and Metropolitan Black Police Association, Trident, Brent's Community Safety Team, politicians, parents and social commentators in order to discover the scale of the problem and come up with a

response.Refreshments and goody bags will be provided.

Events for invited school classesThese events are for Brent schools. For more information, please contact Brent Council's Libraries, Arts and Heritage service on 020 8937 3294/3144.

Children’s Book Week 4 – 10 October

• Interactive storytelling workshopWith author Malaika Rose Stanley, who has written many titles for young children including Baby Ruby Bawled, Miss Bubble’s Troubles and Spike and Ali Enson. Suitable for primary school students years one to four.

• Street Heroes With author Joe Layburn, whose book Street Heroes is a brilliantly exciting adventure about a group of telepathic children taking a stand against evil. Suitable for students in years five to seven.

Kwame Nkrumah. Copyright The Trustees of the British Museum. Comfort and friends. Street Heroes. Interactive storytelling workshop.

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• The Day the Rains FellAfrican folktale and craft workshop delivered by children’s book illustrator Karin Littlewood. Suitable for primary school students.

• Where Are My Roots? An interactive cultural identity workshop for children. Tamarind Books’ Commissioning Editor, Patsy Isles, will use books and cultural props to spark discussion and free the imagination. Suitable for secondary school students.

Nigeria at 50Author Paula Sofowora delivers an interactive talk about Nigerian people, looking at culture, language, weather, food and money. Mini-activities include dressing up in different Nigerian outfits, a fun knowledge quiz and a Nigerian folk tale. Suitable for primary and secondary school students.

Queens Park Rangers: Kick racism out of footballFootball in the community coaches run workshops for school children that explore football’s black role models. Includes a video presentation and Q&A session with a QPR coach. Suitable for primary school students years four to six and secondary school students.

‘All the guns in France couldn’t wake me’ – Walter Tull, officer and footballer Walter Daniel John Tull was one of Britain’s first black infantry officers and footballers. Author Phil Vasili delivers an informative and thought-provoking talk and drama workshop. Suitable for primary school students years four to six and secondary school students.

Kamal Goes to Trinidad: Author visit with Malcolm FrederickIn this beautifully photographed book Kamal visits Trinidad, where his parents come from, to learn more about his family’s culture and identity. Ideal to share with children. Suitable for primary school students.

House of SugarA documentary by Barbara Kelly looking at antiques from Jamaica and what they say about the opulent lifestyle of slave-owning planters. Followed by Q&A. Suitable for secondary school students.

Rap, rhythm and rhyme performance workshop with Nick MakohaNick ‘urbanspirit’ Makoha, an immensely talented poet of Ugandan origin, will explore issues of identity, culture and aspirations for 2012 through rap and poetry. Suitable for primary school students years three to six and secondary school students.

100 great black Britons – historical workshops with Alex Pascall Discover some of Briton’s great black people such as John Archer, the first British black mayor, and Claudia Jones, nationalist, communist and mother of the Notting Hill Carnival. Suitable for primary school students years four to six and secondary school students.

Black history poetry workshopA session for KS2 pupils using photographs from Brent Archives to explore the lives of black Brent residents from 1890s to the 1980s.There is a charge of £1.50 per pupil. Book with Brent Museum.

Other events and information from Libraries, Arts and Heritage

Fabric of a Nation: Textiles and Identity in Modern GhanaThursday 21 October – Sunday 27 February. Brent MuseumFabric of a Nation focuses on the use of printed cloths and their designs as expressions of cultural, social and political identity in modern Ghana, cutting across ethnic and language differences. The exhibition will be accompanied by a collection of objects, stories and a unique fabric artwork by members of Brent’s African community.

This exhibition will be accompanied by a FREE programme of schools, adult and family events and activities.Go to www.brent.gov.uk/museum for more information or pick up a leaflet. Memories from the Islands Town Hall Library and Brent ArchivesOctober 2010An exciting exhibition, which celebrates the journeys and experiences of Caribbean immigrants.

Rap, rhythm and rhyme performance workshop. 100 great Britons with Alex Pascall.

The Day the Rains Fell. Where are My Roots?

Queens Park Rangers.

Kamal Goes to Trinidad. Copyright Prodeepta Das.

• Saturday 16 October, 1.30pm – 4.45pm Cameron Pierre’s Guitar Masterclass Tru Xperience presents an afternoon of education, networking, question and answers and music.

• 17 October, 4.30 – 7pmBlack Dynamite (15) Plus Q&A organised by Adinkra Films www.adinkrafilms.com

• 24 October, 3 – 5pm Good Hair (12a)

• 31 October, 3 – 5.15pm Babylon (12) Plus cast and crew Q&A organised by BANG Radio.

All film tickets: £10 or £7 concession except 10 October.The Lexi Cinema194b Chamberlayne RoadKensal RiseLondonNW10 3JUwww.thelexicinema.co.uk or telephone 0871 704 206

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Preserve your black heritageBrent Museum and Brent Archives collect, record, preserve and make accessible material relating to the history of Brent and its people. Black African and Caribbean communities are currently under-represented in our collections. Do you have any objects, photographs or documents, of any age, that you think could help us represent you, your history, or that of your community? If so please contact Brent Archives.

The Gallery at Willesden Green Library Centre presents Colour Blind A solo exhibition by the highly acclaimed local artist Pouka. 14 September to 15 October 2010.Open daily 11am to 9pm. Free entrance. Preview party on Thursday 16 September, 6 – 8pm.

Lexi Cinema in conjunction with Bang 103.6 FM Radio presents BHM Sunday film season plus….

• 3 October, 3 – 5.30pm SUS (15)Plus panel discussion with Mia Morris and Marsha Prescod (performance poet).

• 10 October, 3 – 5pmRuss Henderson the Pan Man (U)Plus live steel pan performance from Russ (MBE), pan prodigy Isaac Hamilton McKenzie and an interactive session with the audience. All tickets: £5

Colour Blind.

SUS (15)

Babylon (12)

Good Hair (12a)

Black Dynamite (15)

Russ Henderson the Pan Man. Cameron Pierre’s Guitar Masterclass.

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Brent libraries, Brent Archives, and Brent Museum are all wheelchair accessible. For more information contact Brent Council's Libraries, Arts and Heritage service on 020 8937 3144 or visitwww.brent.gov.uk/whatsonwww.facebook.com/lovebrentlibrarieswww.twitter.com/brentlibraries

Barham Park LibraryHarrow RoadSudburyMiddx HA0 2HB020 8937 3550

Cricklewood Library152 Olive RoadCricklewoodLondonNW2 6UY020 8937 3540

Ealing Road LibraryCoronet ParadeEaling RoadWembley MiddlesexHA0 4BR020 8937 3560

Harlesden Library PlusCraven Park RoadLondonNW10 8SE020 8937 3570

Kensal Rise LibraryKensal Rise LibraryBathurst GardensKensal RiseLondonNW10 5JA020 8937 3660

Kilburn LibrarySalusbury RoadKilburnLondonNW6 6NN020 8937 3530

Kingsbury Library Plus522 – 524 Kingsbury RoadKingsburyLondonNW9 9HE020 8937 3520

Neasden Library Plus277 Neasden LaneLondonNW10 1QJ020 8937 3580

Preston LibraryCarlton Avenue EastWembleyMiddlesexHA9 8PL020 8937 3510

Tokyngton LibraryMonks ParkWembleyMiddlesexHA9 6JE020 8937 3590

Town Hall LibraryBrent Town HallForty LaneWembleyMiddlesexHA9 9HV020 8937 3500 Willesden Green Library Centre95 High RoadWillesdenLondonNW10 2SF020 8937 3400

Brent ArchivesWillesden Green Library Centre95 High RoadWillesdenLondonNW10 2SF020 8937 3541

Brent Museum Willesden Green Library Centre95 High RoadWillesdenLondonNW10 2SF020 8937 3600